January 2021

President's Message

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Key summary

• Happy New Year 2021
• Reflecting on our chapter in 2020
• We are gaining new demand signals for our programs and membership
• The APICS brand is transitioning to ASCM

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Dear Members,

We would like to take this time to wish you a Happy New Year. I would like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” to all of our members that attended our events online this year and contributed to the community within our social media spaces. I would like to also thank all of the volunteers who have supported the chapter throughout this year, we thank you for your tireless service with the chapter. We couldn’t have done it without you.  

As we lead up to the holidays, it’s important to reflect on the success that we’ve had as a chapter this year.  

• APICS Vancouver completed 40 Years! (Established in May 1980)
• Our education partners and our trainers all transitioned online 
• We’ve had a record number of students going through our CPIM, CSCP, and CLTD courses  
• We’ve had some of the highest turnouts for our professional development events 
• Our membership continues to grow at a steady rate

As a chapter, we are always stronger when we are able to connect with like-minded professionals who are passionate about the topics of supply chain, operations management, and logistics. As we continue to grow, I would encourage you as a member to reach out to others in our community to network, share, and collaborate and we can help provide the forum to do that even more in 2021.  

We have some exciting news to share, and if you haven’t already you will be receiving some updates about changes from the APICS brand to the new ASCM brand. APICS is changing for the future and with a new logo, there will be a new format and structure that our chapter will be adopting. We plan to share in this newsletter a deep dive on the transition and what to expect.   

Please continue reading, we hope you enjoy the first newsletter of 2021!  

Best regards,

Abrar Khan
President
2020-2021
APICS Vancouver Chapter

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Calendar of Events

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Key summary

• Event updates 
• January 26th, 2021 - PDM Supplier Management 
• Chapter update transition from APICS to ASCM 

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Event updates 

Planning for 2021 

We would like to thank all of our members for joining our professional development events in 2020. We had some of the highest turnouts of the year this year with our online formats. 

In 2021, we will be bringing our members not only new events but new formats with some new times for joining us online. We continue to follow the health recommendations and guidelines and plan to host many of our future events completely online. Please join us in the new year for new events! Build your network, connect with other members, and learn something new you can use! As we wrap up for the end of the year, I would highly encourage you to participate online via LinkedIn.

Professional Development Meeting 

Click here to register for this event.

January 26th, 2021 - 11:45AM to 1:30PM (***New time format***)

Supplier Management: The good, The bad, The ugly

This Zoom webinar will go over examples of how to properly manage suppliers in order to get their best performance for your organization. The audience will be provided with hints and tips based on real-life examples that Gerald has experienced over the years. At the end of the session, the participants will have a few more tools to add to their Supplier Management Tool Box. Gerald’s sessions are always insightful, funny, interactive, and perhaps even memorable.

About our speaker 

Gerald started his career working for a small electronics manufacturing company and then quickly progressed from Buyer at the University of Waterloo to Director of Purchasing at the City of Cambridge. Starting in 1988, Gerald worked as a Demand Planner for IBM Canada where he won the Administrative Achievement Award. In 1993 Gerald left IBM and started Cambridge Solutions. As the President of Cambridge Solutions, Gerald has worked on a variety of projects where Gerald’s talents and skills where be best applied to solving complex challenges. His customers included The Cooperators, Denso Manufacturing, Culliton Mechanical, Open Text, Proveer Signs & Graphics, McMaster University, Electrical Safety Authority, and York University to name a few. In 2012, Gerald started QCsolver which is a web portal used for managing supply chain critical document management. QCsolver now manages 1,000 different suppliers tracking and reporting on critical documentation and information.

Gerald has also spent 34 years delivering training and educational programs both at Conestoga College and for the Supply Chain Canada.

Gerald has served on a number of Boards including the Supply Chain Canada Ontario where he was the President in 1993. He also served on various other boards including the Human Resources Association of Ontario Grand Valley Chapter, Certified Management Association of Canada Ontario Advocacy, APICS Grand Valley Chapter, Conestoga College Program Advisory Committee (PAC) Supply Chain, Guelph Chamber of Commerce Workforce Development Committee, Guelph Innovation Network and Mohawk College PAC.

Gerald most recently received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Supply Chain Canada Ontario. He lives in Cambridge Ontario and in his spare time, Gerald enjoys mentoring and watching football.

Currently, Gerald is the Director of Supplier development with Kinetic GPO (Group Purchasing Organization) based out of Cambridge Ontario. Gerald manages 25 different suppliers including Home Depot, CDW, Grainger, Trane, and several others. With Gerald’s assistance, Kinetic has increased its membership in 2020 from 100 to 326 members. Kinetic has members in every MASH (Municipalities, Academia, School Boards, and Health Care) sector and Province.

APICS to The Association for Supply Chain Management Transition 

Lots of changes to come with a new look and branding  

Starting January 1st, 2021 our APICS Chapter model will be transitioning into a chapter of the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM).  

ASCM has adapted its North American chapter structure to meet the changing needs of its members. Supply chain professionals learn and engage differently today.?These changes will enable ASCM and its partners to deliver superior experiences for members and customers that are aligned with our rapidly shifting business environment.?? 

The APICS Vancouver Chapter and APICS Fraser Valley will be transitioning to a joint ASCM Chapter. We are pleased to announce the formation of a new chapter that will become ASCM British Columbia.  

As an ASCM training partner, we will be continuing to offer APICS training including CPIM, CSCP, and CLTD certification review courses, SCOR-P. In addition, we will continue to offer engagement opportunities for local supply chain professionals to connect with friends, peers, and mentors, learn new skills, and create a better world through supply chain.

Benefits of the New Model:

• The changes to the North American partner structure will enable ASCM and our partners to deliver better member and customer experiences tailored to meet their needs.
• By more effectively meeting the needs of supply chain professionals and developing the supply chain workforce, we are also advancing the supply chain organizations that employ them.
• ASCM members will also continue to receive the same benefits they currently received directly from ASCM.
• Although the North American partner structure is changing, our commitment to our members remains the same. We will continually adapt and evolve the way we meet member needs for education, networking, professional growth, and career advancement in order to align with the current business environment.

Transition Timing

• All members will continue to receive their current chapter’s benefits through Dec 31, 2020.
• Starting January 1, 2021, renewing members will have the opportunity to continue their relationship with their current local organizations the APICS Vancouver Chapter, and APICS Fraservalley Chapter.
• We plan to have the ASCM British Columbia setup and fully transitioned by April 2021. 

We look forward to partnering with you to better meet your needs for education, networking, professional growth, and career advancement. If you would like to join the conversation on this topic, ask questions, comments, please join us on our LinkedIn page. 

Join the conversation on the APICS to ASCM transition

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Corporate Training

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Key summary

• Benefits of corporate training programs with APICS 
• APICS areas of focus with CPIM, CSCP, CLTD
• Examples of our corporate training projects 
• Planning for corporate training 
• How to contact us! 

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2021 Corporate Training 

Corporate training is designed for organizations that want to bring training in-house for the benefit of groups and teams within an organization. Our programs can be custom-tailored to any schedule providing a unique delivery model for your organization. 

Delivery of content can be done on-site or online.  Our programs can be a certification path or non-certification path orientated. Our offerings can range from a 4-hour workshop to a 100+ hour complete supply program.

Benefits of group training 

• Speed - Group training allows an organization to train teams quickly during hours of the day or month that suits your schedule. 
• Flexibility - On-site or online and self-study options of course delivery provides organizations an option to select the best program for employee success
• Customization - In-house training helps attendees understand production and inventory strategies within the unique context of your business. 
• Group competency - Aligning the team through training together drives consistent learning, cross-functional learning and collaboration
• Value - Training delivery can be aligned with change management or other organizational improvement projects to optimize the strategic investments in operational and supply chain teams 

APICS training helps strengthen businesses 

• Establishes common terminology, processes, and frameworks across the organization.
• Provides your team with the knowledge and organizational skills to strategically streamline operations.
• Promotes interaction with existing resources and ERP software to increase efficiencies.
• Improves workforce productivity, collaboration, and innovation.
• Establishes consistency through best practices and organization-wide communication.

APICS areas of training focus 

• CPIM
  • Demand management
  • Procurement management
  • Supplier planning
  • Material requirements planning
  • Capacity planning
  • Sales and operations planning
  • Master scheduling
  • Performance measurement
  • Supplier relationships
  • Quality control
  • Continuous improvement
• CSCP
  • Supply chain design
  • Supply chain planning and execution
  • Supply chain improvement and best practices
• CLTD
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Overview
  • Capacity Planning and Demand Management
  • Order Management
  • Inventory and Warehouse Management
  • Transportation Management
  • Global Logistics Considerations
  • Logistics Network Design
  • Reverse Logistics and Sustainability

A few examples of our training programs our chapter supported.  

• Planning an ERP upgrade and would like to have a consistent operations management knowledge level across the team
• Expansion hiring new team members using APICS content for training and on-boarding 
• Continuous improvement programs adding certification as a benchmark for success within the organization 

Find a complete detailed listing of programs here: 

https://apics-vancouver.org/Corporate_Training

We offer a free education consultation to help assess, identify, and review the training requirements to help provide information for 2021 planning, budgetary estimates, or working with training and human resource departments to plan and schedule customized course delivery.  

If you would like to book a training consultation for training delivery in operations management, supply chain, or logistics please contact us at [email protected].

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Education & Certification

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Key summary

• Planning for next term 
• Upcoming education announcements 
• January 9th, 2021 starting CPIM Self-Study program 

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Planning for the next term

We are excited to announce our slate of Certification classes starting in January 2020. BCIT will be offering CPIM part 1, part2, CSCP, and CLTD, these all will online format. Douglas College will be offering our CSCP and CPIM part 1, these all will be small group in-class format. Read more about our programs leading to a professional certification 

Courses at our academic partner's locations will be available for registration after October 28th, 2020 for the January 2021 term. To register for our educational options please visit the link below. 

https://apics-vancouver.org/Find_Classes

Upcoming education

APICS Vancouver is pleased to announce our upcoming course schedule with our educational partners and instructors. We have an exciting line up of courses to deliver to our supply chain community with experienced instructors within each of our program streams.

Updated: Course offerings in-person. Class sizes will be reduced to allow for social distancing protocols.  The training partners are monitoring information and recommendations about COVID-19 from regional and provincial medical health officers and responding accordingly.  Should in-person classes need to be discontinued, the delivery mode will change to virtual sessions that will take place during the originally scheduled class times.  To participate in virtual sessions, students will need high-speed internet, video cam, and a microphone.

2021 Course Offerings 

British Columbia Institute of Technology

We will be starting in early Jan via our BCIT partner the following classes (note all classes at BCIT will be an online format):

• CPIM part 1 https://www.bcit.ca/study/courses/apic1161
• CPIM part 2 https://www.bcit.ca/study/courses/apic2262
• CSCP https://www.bcit.ca/study/courses/apic1191
• CLTD https://www.bcit.ca/study/courses/apic1181

OR Find links to all the class via with webpage  https://www.bcit.ca/business-media/study/operations-management/

Materials required for these programs can be purchased here https://apics-vancouver.org/catalog.php

Douglas College 

We will be starting in early Jan via our BCIT partner the following classes (NOTE: ALL IN CLASS FORMAT-WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING - at the New Westminster campus):

• CPIM part 1
• CSCP

Information and registration:

https://www.douglascollege.ca/programs-courses/continuing-education/business/apics

Materials required for these programs can be purchased here: 

https://apics-vancouver.org/catalog.php

CPIM 1 - Self Study with instructor coaching

Starting January 9th through to April 3rd, 2021 

Online with instructor support 

Details:

• Jan 9 to April 3 – 12 sessions - Saturday
• 5 pm Pacific time zone. 1-hour per week
• Will be via zoom meeting link  - Instructor will send out meeting info.
• The first session will be orientation only.
• Material costs are $590 from our store https://apics-vancouver.org/catalog.php

This class will be via Zoom virtual meeting software.  Please ensure you have a working mic and camera.  This is so that you can interact with the instructor. We would suggest a PC or laptop in a quiet space.  Please test your software ahead of time! --- https://zoom.us/test

This class is the preparatory class for the CPIM Part 1 exam.  To obtain your CPIM certification you must pass two certification exams(Part 1 and Part 2).  We may be offering Part 2 online.   Certification exams can be purchased via APICS Vancouver.   This class will also qualify for APICS Vancouver free retake offer(must be an APICS Vancouver member).  

Exam and retake conditions:   

https://apics-vancouver.org/EXAM_Purchase_Instructions

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Membership

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Key summary

• Build your network 
• Volunteer with the chapter

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Build your network 

We would like to encourage our members to participate in our social media channels, we enjoy posting topics and ideas on our company LinkedIn page. This is a great opportunity to share, network, and connect with other chapter members.  

Volunteer with the chapter  

Our chapter is expanding, APICS Vancouver Chapter is a 100% volunteer-based organization, and everything we do for our members is based on the contribution of the much appreciated hard work of our dedicated professionals who contribute their passion and energy to the chapter. 

Running an APICS Chapter we have many opportunities to learn, explore, and formats for members to get involved. There are endless ways to contribute to a chapter and here are a few areas of expertise that we need to help support the chapter in 2021. 

Please find the job roles here to help the chapter. 

• Board of Director - Membership
• Committee chair membership 
  • Student membership committee 
  • Young professional membership committee 
  • Professional membership committee 
  • New member development committee 
  • Membership recruitment drive committee 
  • Social committee 
  • Student chapter liaison 
• Committee chairs for diversity, leadership, and sustainability 
• Marketing and communications
  • Graphic designer
  • Media & Communications specialist 
  • Newsletter content editor 
  • Social media contributor - LinkedIn 
  • Social media contributor - Facebook
  • Social media contributor - Twitter 

If you would like to engage the chapter and contribute your passion and vision for working within the above areas of focus we encourage you to apply via our webform. 

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APICS Operations Management Body of Knowledge

Our theme this month in relation to the global demand for presents just in time for the holidays! Click here to download a copy of the 3rd edition of the Operations Management Body of Knowledge.

Our theme this month in relation to the global demand for presents just in time for the holidays! 

2.2.4 Synchronization 

Synchronization is the simultaneity and speed of movement of information, funds,
and goods or services through the supply network. Scheduling the supply chain effectively requires a clear demand signal to reach the extremities of the chain. Knowing when products are needed, where the inventory buffers will be held in the supply chain, and what the flexibility requirements and rules of engagement are greatly increases the overall performance of the supply chain. This flow and pace are enhanced by the free sharing of information and data.

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Chapter information

The APICS Vancouver Chapter 2020-2021 board of directors are listed below with their corresponding contact information for each of the portfolios. As a member, if any of our directors can be of assistance please reach out to the applicable team member.

Stay current with industry trends and knowledge

Professional development refers to skills and knowledge attained for both personal development and career advancement. Professional development encompasses all types of facilitated learning opportunities, ranging from college degrees to formal coursework, conferences and informal learning opportunities situated in practice. It has been described as intensive and collaborative, ideally incorporating an evaluative stage

The success of our professional development programs is also due in large part to our elite instructors – highly skilled, passionate and internationally recognized consultants, executives, keynote speakers and best-selling authors. Every day, our professional development leaders have their sleeves rolled up in the challenging world of business so they intimately understand the issues and challenges individuals and organizations face. Plus they not only have proven teaching and facilitation skills, they listen to your needs to ensure a stimulating, motivating and enriching learning experience.

You have worked hard to achieve your certifications. Keeping them up-to-date and active show your dedication to your career in operations and supply chain management and, helps boost your standing within your organization and the industry. Professional Development points are awarded for conducting the following programs related to operations management:

• Conferences
• Courses (including certification review courses)
• Meetings (instructional)
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Workshops
• Other presentations

About ASCM.org 

The Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) is the global leader in supply chain organizational transformation, innovation, and leadership. As the largest non-profit association for supply chain, ASCM is an unbiased partner, connecting companies around the world to the newest thought leadership on all aspects of supply chain. ASCM is built on a foundation of APICS certification and training spanning 60 years. Now, ASCM is driving innovation in the industry with new products, services, and partnerships that enable companies to further optimize their supply chains, secure their competitive advantage, and positively impact their bottom lines.

About APICS.org

The Association for Operations Management is the global leader and premier source of the body of knowledge in operations management, including production, inventory, supply chain, materials management, purchasing, and logistics. Since 1957, individuals and companies have relied on APICS for its superior training, internationally recognized certifications, comprehensive resources, and a worldwide network of accomplished industry professionals.

About the APICS Vancouver Chapter

APICS Vancouver offers typically 7 professional development meetings, 2 workshops, and 1 plant tour each year. Typical attendance at a professional development meeting is 60-100 people. The chapter promotes education through professional learning institutions that lead to designations CPIM, CSCP, and CLTD.

APICS Vancouver Chapter Benchmarking and Recognition - Platinum Certification 

Chapter Management Excellence is an integral component to enhancing the member experience. Successful APICS chapters provide their members with opportunities for stellar education, career development, and networking.

The APICS Chapter Benchmarking and Recognition (CBAR) program recognizes chapters that have exceeded minimum standards and exemplify excellence in overall chapter management. We are proud to announce the APICS-Vancouver Chapter received the 2019 CBAR Platinum Award designation, an admirable accomplishment for an APICS chapter. This continues a multi-year run of Platinum designation.

As a member of an APICS Platinum Award Winning Chapter, the CBAR designation signifies your chapter’s commitment to providing an exceptional membership experience.

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